ST. LOUIS — O’Fallon Brewery, one of the largest and first craft breweries in the St. Louis area, has collaborated with Fitz’s Bottling Company to create Fitz’s Hard Root Beer.

Fitz’s Hard Root Beer is brewed and bottled at O’Fallon’s new 40,000 square-foot Maryland Heights, Missouri, brewery. The beer is brewed with malted barley, caramel malt, hops and yeast. During the final stage of brewing, a special blend of Fitz’s Root Beer made with all-natural pure cane sugar, sassafras roots, vanilla, and a spice blend is added to capture Fitz’s distinct and creamy flavor.

“Hard root beer is one of the hottest trends in craft beer,” said Jim Gorczyca, O’Fallon Brewery president and CEO. “We are thrilled to partner with Fitz’s, an iconic root beer brand, to meet the increased demand in the marketplace. It took eleven months of considerable work by our teams to capture Fitz’s famous taste in a high-quality craft beer. I’m proud of our finished product. Fitz’s Hard Root Beer continues O’Fallon’s commitment to innovation by using unique ingredients to create an unforgettable beer experience.”

Fitz’s Hard Root Beer is 5.0 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) and will be priced comparably to other beers in the hard root beer category. The beer will begin arriving at retailers in May and will be available in six packs (12 ounce bottles) and kegs (1/6 and ½ barrels). The beer will be distributed throughout Missouri and Illinois and will be available to O’Fallon Brewery’s distribution network throughout the Midwest. Additionally, the beer will be served on draft at Fitz’s Restaurant and O’Fallon’s O’Bar.

“Brewing a hard root beer is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” said Michael Alter, owner and co-founder of Fitz’s Bottling Company. “Finding a brewer who had the ability to capture our signature Fitz’s flavor with a high-quality craft beer base was our top

priority. When we set out to do this, we didn’t want a beer that simply tasted like any old root beer – it had to taste like Fitz’s. We achieved this with our friends at O’Fallon, and I’m excited for consumers to enjoy our latest creation.”

About O’Fallon Brewery

The O’Fallon Brewery is a craft brewery founded in St. Charles County just northwest of St. Louis. In June 2015, the company opened its 40,000 square-foot flagship brewery in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The company brews O’Fallon Gold, 5-Day IPA, Hemp Hop Rye, Wheach, Zeke’s Pale Ale and Smoked Porter, which won a Gold Medal at the 2004 Great American Beer Festival. The brewery also brews seasonal beers including Strawberry Best, King Louie Toffee Stout and O’Fallon Pumpkin. To learn more, please visit www.ofallonbrewery.com.

About Fitz’s Bottling Company

Fitz’s Root Beer first appeared in St. Louis at a local drive-in restaurant in 1947. After sadly disappearing for a number of years, Fitz’s Root Beer was revived in 1993 when Fitz’s Bottling Company, America’s original soda microbrewery, opened in St. Louis’ historic and vibrant Delmar Loop neighborhood. Fitz’s Root Beer, the company’s flagship soda, is made with select natural roots, spices, barks and is exclusively sweetened with all-natural pure cane sugar. Thanks to its robust and creamy flavor, Fitz’s Root Beer has been recognized as one of the best root beers in the United States. To learn more, please visit www.fitzsrootbeer.com.